Google forces Android apps to use memory more wisely as RAMpocalypse rages

Google is implementing stricter memory performance requirements for Android apps distributed through Google Play, starting in early 2027. This move comes as RAM prices rise and consumers opt for phones with less memory, posing a potential ecosystem-wide crisis. Inefficient memory use, such as memory leaks in single apps, can cause devices to become sluggish and terminate other apps. Google's new technical specifications aim to ensure apps stay within memory limits, minimize crashes, and improve on-device AI performance.

These requirements consist of two stages: February 2027 and April 2027. The first stage introduces memory usage limits based on device RAM capacity. For an 8 GB device, an app can use up to 2.25 GB in the foreground, 1.5 GB for user-perceived services, and 1.5 GB in the background. Devices with over 16 GB are mostly unaffected. Bitmap memory usage is limited to 200 MB in user-perceived services and background, and 400 MB in cache for all devices. Games have slightly different limits.

The second stage, focusing on Zero-tap Sign-In, aims to simplify device migration and enhance security. It advises developers to use the Android Restore Credentials API to transfer user credentials between devices during setup, reducing friction, user retention loss, and security risks like phishing and credential theft.